💜✨ Bon Voyage to a Valued ODAer ✨💜
Joe Howlett has been with ODA since before it began nearly ten years ago. It has been an absolute pleasure working with him and building ODA together into the outstanding school it is today. While we will miss him greatly, we completely understand his excitement to begin a new adventure and to take everything he’s learned from creating ODA with him to Tasmania to start Australia’s first multi-academy trust.
ODA would like to thank him for his hard work and his commitment to the One Degree mission and we wish him all the best for the future.
🪀 Tilly and Taj Tots
We are looking forward to restarting our stay-and-play sessions for under-3s. If you have a child who is under three, we would love to welcome you to join us each Wednesday 8:20-9:30am for Tilly and Taj Tots. Please email the school office (parents@onedegreeacademy.org) if you would like more details and to attend.
📚 Share a Story
At ODA, we know how important reading is and love to celebrate a culture of reading within our school. Each Friday, we invite parents/carers and siblings of our Reception students to join us for a short story time, 8:20-8:35am in the Reception Classrooms.
🛡️ Keeping Our Streets Safe & Accessible
You may notice a few extra friendly faces in uniform around the school during drop-off. These local officers will be helping to manage some of the parking challenges near the school and main intersections. Their goal is to ensure that everyone—especially our students—can navigate our streets safely. Thank you for doing your part and parking responsibly!
🕣 Every Minute Matters at One Degree Academy
Thank you to everyone who has been ensuring your child arrives on time each day. As we know, even a few minutes late can mean missing out on essential learning opportunities. From handwriting practice and journaling to morning quizzing, 'Word of the Day', phonics, times tables, Maths Meetings and key messages from the teacher, these important activities help set a positive tone for the whole day.
As a reminder, all students are expected to arrive between 8:20 and 8:30am for a soft start. During this time, staff are ready and waiting, lining the homebases to warmly welcome your child and help them settle into the day.
For any child arriving at 8:30am or later, parents/carers will be required to complete a late form at the school office and your child will be marked in as late. Please accompany your late child and complete the form accurately and completely in order to ensure that your child is registered correctly.
To check your child’s class start and finish times, please visit our “School Day” page on our website.
☀️ Summer Uniform Expectations
After the Easter break, we will be coming into the Summer Term, which means that there are some slight uniform changes (see below). More information on our uniform can be found here.
Uniform:
- Plain black trainers (PE day only) or school shoes (non-PE days). Trainers cannot be worn with summer dresses or shorts on non-PE days.
- Summer dresses and black or grey shorts can be worn in the summer term.
- Black PE shorts may be worn for PE.
- Ties are to be worn by Year 1 upwards on non-PE days.
- Caps are allowed outside and these need to be purple or plain grey, black or navy.
🤧 Hay Fever - Medication Process
Hay fever season has begun. For children who suffer from hay fever and require medication, please complete the medical request form here or via MCAS. We would recommend that, whenever possible, medication is given before and after they come to school.
🩰 Royal Ballet and Opera’s Youth Opera Programmes 🎶
Applications are now open to join the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Youth Opera Programmes. Young singers aged 8–11 (on 1 September 2026), living in and around London, are invited to apply to join their Young Voices programme and Youth Opera Company this September. Applications close at midnight on Sunday 10 May. Both programmes are free and offer an exciting opportunity for young people to develop their singing, performance skills and confidence.
Young Voices (Ages 8-9)
A six-month singing training programme developing vocal skills and musical understanding, with performance opportunities in showcases at the Royal Opera House.
Youth Opera Company (ages 9–11)
A multi-year programme offering all-round training in the performing arts. Members develop vocal technique, language, stagecraft, musical literacy and creative skills. They also have opportunities to create and perform their own new operas, and to audition for the Children’s Chorus, who perform in productions on the Royal Opera House main stage.
Current members say:
“It has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Before I joined YOC, I was a bit hesitant about opera, but I now really enjoy it!”
— 2025 Youth Opera Company member
“YOC is really special because I've met lots of other young people who like singing, like me. I've also loved performing on the Royal Opera main stage in The Magic Flute and in Hansel and Gretel.”
— 2026 Youth Opera Company member
Find out more and apply here: RBO Youth Opera Programmes
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 10 May. If you have any questions, or run into any issues completing the application form, please do get in touch at youthopera@roh.org.uk.
Home Learning Videos
Nursery and Reception: Check Tapestry for the latest video from the teaching team.
Y1-6: Click here for the latest home learning video from the teaching team.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @1DegreeAcademy to see photos of our week!
Many thanks, ODA
